Stories
1. The Little Hare Who Wanted to Help the World
a little hare with a pure heart
- The Tale A very long time ago, in a vast forest bathed in light, lived a small hare with a pure heart. He was neither the strongest, nor the fastest, nor the wisest of animals. Yet, all who knew him felt confidence in his presence. He possessed a rare quality: he often thought of others before thinking of himself. Every morning, when the sun rose over the trees, he observed the world around him. He saw birds building their nests. He saw squirrels making their provisions. He saw deer protecting their young. And he wondered: — How can I be useful too? This question never left him. One day, as he meditated under a tree, he heard animals discussing. — The world is difficult, said one. — Everyone only thinks of themselves, said another. — Beings suffer everywhere, added a third. The little hare was deeply touched. He spent the entire day reflecting. In the evening, he looked up at the stars and whispered: — I want to help all beings. But how? He possessed no wealth. He was neither a king, nor a renowned sage. He had no particular power. Then a thought was born in his heart: — Perhaps what I can offer is myself. Days passed. His desire to help grew stronger and stronger. One morning, an exhausted old man appeared in the forest. His clothes were worn. His face was marked by fatigue. He seemed to have neither food nor shelter. The animals watched the scene with concern. The monkey brought some fruits. The otter brought fish. The jackal looked for what he could offer. The little hare, himself, had nothing. He only ate grass. He could offer no provisions. He felt immense sadness. — Others have something to give, he thought. I have nothing. Then an extraordinary decision arose in his mind. — If I have nothing, then I will give everything. He approached the old man. — I have no fruits. — I have no fish. — I have no wealth. But if my life can be useful to someone, then I offer it. At that moment, tradition tells that the old man revealed his true nature. He was not an ordinary traveler. He had come to test the sincerity of beings' hearts. And before the absolute generosity of the little hare, he was deeply moved. He told him: — Your compassion already illuminates the world. You do not need to sacrifice yourself. The simple fact that your heart is free from selfishness is a treasure for all beings. Then the moonlight seemed to envelop the forest. And since that day, it is said, the image of the little hare remains visible in the full moon to remind humans of the power of true generosity.
Aliénor et Alain Delaporte-Digard